In this episode, Gus Cooke (Lifters League) and Sarah Rainbow tackle one of the most debated questions in powerlifting: Sumo vs. Conventional Deadlift.

They dive into the pros and cons of each style, the role of anatomy in choosing your stance, injury risk, and how to make smart long-term decisions as a lifter. Along the way, they share their own experiences switching between sumo and conventional, why mastery and precision become critical at higher strength levels, and how social media hype can distract lifters from what actually matters: lifting the most weight safely and sustainably.

Whether you’re new to deadlifting, an athlete chasing longevity, or just curious about why the internet can’t stop arguing about sumo, this short, sharp conversation will give you clarity on which approach might be right for you—and why the real answer is “it depends.”

In this episode, Gus Cooke (Lifters League) and Sarah Rainbow tackle one of the most debated questions in powerlifting: Sumo vs. Conventional Deadlift.

They dive into the pros and cons of each style, the role of anatomy in choosing your stance, injury risk, and how to make smart long-term decisions as a lifter. Along the way, they share their own experiences switching between sumo and conventional, why mastery and precision become critical at higher strength levels, and how social media hype can distract lifters from what actually matters: lifting the most weight safely and sustainably.

Whether you’re new to deadlifting, an athlete chasing longevity, or just curious about why the internet can’t stop arguing about sumo, this short, sharp conversation will give you clarity on which approach might be right for you—and why the real answer is “it depends.”

The best way to make weight without impacting your performance... as much. We share an insight to the strategies I developed over the last 15 years.